Minneapolis opens its first E-85 fueling station
Joint Minneapolis and Hennepin County project aims to promote energy independence and cut down on pollution
May 23, 2007 (MINNEAPOLIS) Minneapolis has just begun using an E-85 fueling station at its Currie Public Works Facility, making Minneapolis one of the first cities in Minnesota to have an E-85 station. Both City and Hennepin County vehicles will use the station, and altogether, the two partners have more than 200 flex-fuel vehicles in their fleets that can run on E-85 fuel.
E-85 consists of up to 85 percent ethanol, which means that using E-85 reduces our dependence on oil imported from overseas, and instead supports Minnesota farmers, whose corn is used to make ethanol. Ethanol is a renewable fuel that is less toxic than gasoline.
Vehicle exhaust is the single largest source of air pollution in Minnesota, and Minneapolis and Hennepin County have greatly expanded their E-85 fleets as one way to help the environment and promote energy independence. Minneapolis currently has 99 flex-fuel vehicles that can use E-85, including police, fire, and Public Works vehicles, as well as cars from other City departments. Hennepin County has 110 E-85 vehicles, and both have plans to continue expanding the numbers of E-85 vehicles in their fleets.
According to the American Lung Association, Minnesota leads the nation in the use of renewable fuels, with the highest renewable fuel use per capita. Minnesota has North America’s largest network of E-85 fueling stations, with more than 300 throughout the state.
Both Minneapolis and Hennepin County have worked to decrease emissions in their vehicle fleets in other ways. Minneapolis has trimmed its fleet, eliminating more than 170 vehicles in the last five years. The City also owns eight hybrid cars, and Hennepin County has another five in its fleet. Some Minneapolis staff now use HOURCAR, a unique car-sharing program that uses hybrids. Minneapolis and Hennepin County also use B20 bio-diesel in some large equipment, which reduces harmful emissions.
Reducing emissions from its vehicles is just one way Minneapolis works to protect our environment. In April 2007, the City released the first-of-its kind report, Minneapolis GreenPrint, which details the many successes Minneapolis has had in its efforts to protect our environment and the challenges it still faces. To learn more about GreenPrint, visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us.
May 20 – 26 is National Public Works Week, which recognizes the important service Public Works employees provide to our community. Minneapolis Public Works is responsible for taking care of 1,500 miles of streets and alleys, 800 intersections with traffic signals, 28,000 street lights, and 100,000 streets signs. Public Works also produces 25 billion gallons of clean water annually, and crews handle 170,000 tons of solid waste every year. Increasing usage of E-85 fuels is just one way Public Works aims to enhance and improve the environment in Minneapolis.
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